Opinion

Top-flight Spanish football returns on Friday, as La Liga kicks off with games between Malaga and Osasuna and Deportivo facing Eibar. However, it is on Saturday and Sunday that the big boys of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid kick-off their league campaigns.

Liverpool produced a stunning display of attacking football in the first 20 minutes of their 4-3 victory at Arsenal on Sunday. The Reds were poor for the majority of the first half and found themselves one goal down courtesy of a Theo Walcott strike.

Leicester City’s defence of the Premier League title could not have gone worse. The Foxes opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat at relegation favourites Hull City on Saturday lunchtime.

When Brendan Rodgers was appointed as Celtic boss earlier this summer it was a coup for the Hoops. Rodgers is still highly regarded as a boss, despite a perceived failure at Liverpool in the Premier League.

A couple of days ago French midfielder Paul Pogba completed his long awaited move from Juventus to Manchester United for a reported fee of £89million. The deal had been mooted for much of the summer and the 23-year-old has the Red Devils a world-record fee.

According to Sky Sports, Everton are close to completing a deal that could rise to £30million for Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie. The Eagles have accepted a Toffees bid and the Republic of Congo international is now expected to travel to Merseyside to discuss personal terms and have a medical.

England defender John Stones is on the verge of completing a big money move from Everton to Manchester City. The deal has yet to be announced but City have included the centre-back in their Champions League play-off squad to face Steaua Bucharest.

According to the Daily Express, Chelsea are willing to offer goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and striker Loic Remy in part-exchange for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku. The Blues are reported to have had a bid around £65million rejected for the striker, but could return with a bid involving Begovic and Remy.

Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte has been linked with moves to the likes of Manchester United and Everton this summer. The 32-year-old has enjoyed a stellar couple of years, having established himself in the heart of the Saints defence before winning Euro 2016 with Portugal in the summer.

Swansea have agreed a deal to sign experienced Spanish international striker Fernando Llorente. The 31-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in Wales later today.

Belgium have pulled a surprise by naming Roberto Martinez as their new national team head coach. The Spaniard was fired by Everton following two very underwhelming campaigns on Merseyside.

Aston Villa completed the £12million signing of striker Ross McCormack from Fulham on Wednesday. The Scottish international arrived after the departures of defender Ciaran Clark to Newcastle and midfielder Idrissa Gueye to Everton earlier this week.

Manchester City are continuing the chase for Everton’s highly-rated centre-back John Stones. The Citizens hierarchy are believed to be confident that they will sign the youngster before the Premier League campaign kick-off next weekend.

Everton fans have endured a frustrating summer, as promises of big-name arrivals and money to spend has resulted in very little of note happening in the transfer market.

On Tuesday, Manchester City completed the £37million signing of Schalke winger Leroy Sane. The 19-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the Citizens and is regarded as a hot prospect for the future.

West Ham have spent the summer looking to strengthen their strike-force with a quality forward and according to Sky Sports, the Hammers have lodged a bid of around £20million for Swansea forward Andre Ayew.

Chelsea’s poor campaign last season was mirrored by the form of Spanish international striker Diego Costa, who endured a disappointing campaign finding the net just 12 times in the English top-flight.

Alvaro Morata was reportedly one of the most in-demand players of the summer transfer windows. The likes of Chelsea and Arsenal were linked with a move for the Spanish striker. In the end, Spanish giants Real Madrid activated a buy-back clause to re-sign their former forward.

There has been much talk about Everton spending big and improving their squad this summer following fresh investment. The only signing has so far this summer was experienced Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who is only expected to be a backup goalkeeper next season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he is looking to sign another attacking option this summer. The Gunners have constantly been linked with signing a new striker for the past few transfer windows.